Besides the main entrance of the month-long book fair -- held on Bangla Academy premises and the adjacent Suhrawardy Udyan -- a number of pavilions and stalls have embraced the theme in their design and publications.

“Since 1991, we have published at least 80 books on Bangbandhu and some 200 on the country’s Liberation War,” said an official of Agamee Prakashani.

Shariar Alam, a stall attendant of the publishing house, said that they have made a separate catalogue of books on Bangabandhu.

He said some of their best-sold books include “Sheikh Mujib Amar Pita” by Sheikh Hasina, and “Bhasha Andolon o Sheikh Mujib” by Mazharul Islam.

“Among 104 published books this year, Bangla Academy itself has published at least 25 books on the life and work of Bangabandhu,” said its Director General Habibullah Sirajee.  

Some of their titles include “Bangabandhur Ditio Biplob: Ki o Keno?” by Dr Harun-ur-Rashid; “Ballad of our Hero, Bangabandhu” by Syed Shamsul Haq, “Bangabandhur Karajibon” by Dibbaduti Sarker, and a reprint of “Karagarer Rojnamcha” written by Bangabandhu himself.

The Daily Star Books, Ittyadi Prokashoni, Shikha Prokashoni and Prothoma Prokashon have also brought several books on the Liberation War and Bangabandhu this year, said salespersons at the stalls.

Yesterday evening, a large group of youths were seen thronging the stall of Centre for Research and Information (CRI) on Bangla Academy premises.

“I have bought graphic novel ‘Mujib from here, and will send it to my younger brother as a gift,” said Rezwan Habib Rafsan, a student of Institute of Education and Research at Dhaka University. 

CRI officials told The Daily Star that the seventh edition of the novel is based on “The Unfinished Memoirs”, an autobiography written by Bangabandhu, during his time as a state prisoner between 1967 and 1969.

Meanwhile, a big cutout of book cover of “The Unfinished Memoirs” have drawn book-lovers at the stall of The University Press Limited (UPL) on Suhrawardy Udyan premises.

Stalls including Mizan Publishers, Bangabndhu Foundation, Joy Bangla Prakshan, Matribhumi and Kothaprakash have also decorated their stalls in line with the fair theme, apart from publishing books on him. 

Focusing on Bangabandhu, architect Enamul Karim Nirjhar has drawn up the overall plan of the book fair. Meanwhile, a total of 81 books arrived on 3rd day of the fair.